Back-support.



L. STREET.

BACK SUPPORT. APPLIOATIOH Hum JULY 30,1910.

Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

Ila-miawuwwlioz COLUMIIA WRAP" 00., WASHINGTON, D. C.

LULABELLE STREET, OF TUCUMCARI, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO,

BACK-SUPPORT.

Application filed July 30, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LULABELLE STREET, a citizen of the United States,residing at Tucumoari, in the county of Quay and Territory of NewMexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Back-Supports, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved supporter and more particularly toa supporter for the back especially adapted to use after child birth,during the lying in bed period, to support the back and at the same timebandage the abdomen until contraction of the womb takes place.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a supporterof the character specified which is admirably adapted for the purposeabove stated and which is also light and may be worn with entirecomfort.

A further ob ect is to provide a supporter of such construction that thesame may be easily and quickly adjusted to suit inclividualrequirements, without greatly increasing its cost of manufacture.

WVith these and other objects in View, the invention consists of theimproved construction, combination and arrangement of parts which willbe hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically pointed out in theappended claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, whereinlike reference characters designate similar parts throughout the severalviews and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating theapplication of my invention, the figure being represented in dottedlines; Fig. :2 is a plan view; and Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line3-3 of Fig. 2.

A woman is subject to severe pains due to muscular contraction caused byreturn of the parts to normal condition after the delivery of a child.Various means are resorted to for the alleviation of these pains butthey are usually found either wholly or in part injurious orineffective. It is the purpose of my invention to accomplish the aboveend without injurious effect.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 5 indicates the body memberor abdominal band, the ends of which are of greater width than theintermediate portion. The ends of the band are adapted to be securedtogether by means of a number of safety Specification of Letters Patent.

j ber of rows of the pins (5 may be used. I number of V-shaped darts 8are made in the Patented Aug. 1, 1911.

Serial No. 574,649.

pins 6, whereby the band is held upon the abdomen of the wearer. Theband 5 is preferably of the greatest width at its ends and centralportion, the comparatively narrow intermediate portions thereof beingdisposed immediately above the hips of the wearer. As the womb contractsthe ends of the band are adjusted thereby applying pressure upon theabdomen and permitting the device to be worn with comfort. It will, ofcourse, be obvious that desired numlongitudinal edges of the band 5adjacent to each end thereof. By providing these darts the band will lieperfectly flat and smooth upon the abdomen of the wearer.

A deflatable air cushion is detachably secured to the outside of theband 5 intermediate of its ends and extends beyond the lower edgethereof. This cushion is centrally provided with the usual air valve 10which is adapted to be closed by a suitable cap. The cushion may beconveniently infiated by connecting a tube to the valve and blowing intoor otherwise supplying air to the interior of the cushion, while beingworn. Suitable buttons or clasps 11 may be used in attaching the cushionto the band so that it may be easily and quickly removed and the bandwashed. To the edge of the band a strap 12 is secured. This strap may beeither permanently or removably secured to the band and is adapted toextend between the limbs of the wearer, being disposed closely over theentrance. to the vagina and closing the same. The free end of this strapis secured to one end of the band 5 by means of the safety pin 14.

By detachably securing the cushion 9 to the interior of the band, theband may be worn with greater comfort, and the central portion thereofis held closely against the skin so that the same will not move andthereby chafe or irritate the skin, The cushion may also be readilydetached without removing the band so that it may be again inflated.

In the use of the supporter the band 5 is fastened about the abdomen asabove described, the cushion 9 being disposed upon the lower portion ofthe back immediately below the waist line. The strap 12 is then fastenedto the lower edge of the band at the front. When thus arranged the backwill be properly supported with comfort to the mother and without dangerof ill effect. The cushion may be inflated to any desired extent so asto afford a brace and support for the back. The device is also adaptedfor use during the menstrual periods, the strap 12 serving to retain thenapkin or catamenial sack in its proper position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a very simpleand effective supporter for the purpose specified which will relieve thewearer of the numerous pains incident after child birth. The device isthoroughly sanitary and may be readily applied and adjusted inaccordance with contraction of the parts. The cushion would preferablybe constructed of rubber, While the remaining parts may be of anydesired material.

What is claimed is:

-The. herein described supporting band comprising a single length offlexible material of greater width at its ends and central portion thanat the intermediate portions thereof, said band being adapted toencircle the waist of the user, means for adjustably securing the endsof said band together over the abdomen, an inflatable cushion detachablysecured to the exterior of the central portion of the band and extendingacross substantially its entire width, said cushion being adapted toexert a yielding pressure upon the back of the user at the waist line, astrap extending from the lower edge of the band at its central portionadapted to extend between the limbs of the user, and means fordetachably securing the free end of said strap to the lower edges of theconnected ends of the band, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

LULABELLE STREET.

WVitnesses C. H. FERGUSON, REED HOLLOMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

